COMPANY bosses gathered from all over East London yesterday (June 18) to hear the burning issue’ of how to reduce global warming and save cash into the bargain. A sustainability conference’ at Stratford Old Town Hall gave firms practical advice on how to be green’ and reduce their carbon impact on the environment while reducing costs at the same time

COMPANY bosses gathered from all over East London yesterday (June 18) to hear the 'burning issue' of how to reduce global warming and save cash into the bargain.

A 'sustainability conference' at Stratford Old Town Hall gave firms practical advice on how to be 'green' and reduce their carbon impact on the environment while reducing costs at the same time.

Environment experts from the Carbon Trust, Envirowise, Business Link and Axis Europe also demonstrated how a 'greener' approach to business could help them tendering for London 2012 Olympics contracts.

Paul Evans, East London area director for Lloyds TSB Commercial which hosted the conference, said: "Rising energy, fuel and food prices mean 'sustainability' is becoming a necessity rather than a choice for all types of businesses, regardless of size.

"This conference was a chance to find out how reducing their carbon footprint could improve business."

HOW TO MAKE YOUR BUSINESS 'GREENER'

A four-step plan to help business save money and look after the environment was drawn up by the bank:

1. ENERGY: switching a single photocopier or printer off overnight saves enough energy to print 1,500 A4 pages

2. PAPER: switching to double-sided printing means one person can save two-and-half boxes of paper a year

3. TRAVEL: Using teleconferencing and video-conferencing facilities cuts travel costs

4. WASTE: each staff member on average gets rids of 0.17 tonnes of paper a year. Recycling that waste would save three trees, 5,440 litres of water and 7,140 kWh of electricity.